None. 

"Get on my side? For what? She's not coming along," I reply.

Prota expresses confusion about why they would need Feldspar's support. 

"Get on my side? For what? She's not coming along," you reply.

Step 19

Prota does not yet know how Feldspar can help. Glint should explain the basic idea in the next prompt. The primary benefit is obtaining a shipment of Great-Aunt Feldspar's magically light and durable pottery, which is useful for storing supplies, lightening the load for travel, and selling as trade goods in nearby villages. In addition, the influence with the clan could benefit Prota if they ask for help from any clan members during preparations. Such help may include modest supplies or favors that Prota could not otherwise get on their own. Glint will point out that although Prota has amassed some supplies in preparation for the journey, including a cart and mule, their chances are not great without a way to supplement their supplies or make up for unexpected losses. 

Feldspar's help would require a commitment to return the majority of profits from the sale of her pottery, but a commission on the sale would still be helpful to Prota. Glint knows this, and knows that Feldspar usually sells to traveling merchants. (Naming one such merchant will provide the Player with additional background and add depth to the setting. In the same act of exposition, the Player can be told how Feldspar usually sells her pottery.) One such merchant, Gyreson, passes through Prota's village routinely. He sold Prota's father a harvest sickle last year. Gyreson pays Feldspar for her pottery and re-sells it at the larger towns for a tidy profit. Glint knows this, but has not been able to convince Feldspar to risk sending anyone from her family to sell her wares. 

(A more detailed understanding of Feldspar's motivation would help add depth to her character and actions later on. Complex motivations may be more interesting to the Player than simple fear.) Feldspar is cautious, but not cowardly, and has a reason for distrusting outsiders. [Feldspar was not always cautious and insular. She visited the Blue in her youth and sacrificed a leg to gain her magic, but what she saw on her journey frightened her.] 

"Well, greenjay," explains your uncle, "there's more kinds of help than just mine. I heard you got a cart and mule, and a decent stock of money and supplies for the trip. That's a good start. But you'll be needing every advantage you can get. Stuff breaks, or gets stolen, or you simply run out of food and need to buy more. Between foraging and bartering, what you've got might be barely enough to make it to the Blue and back. But in my experience, barely enough ain't enough. Now, there's more'n one way to make up the difference - plenty of opportunity to use your wits or the work of your hands to earn your keep - but the better your start, the better your chances. 

"As you know, ol' Auntie Feldspar has a clay-magic. Her jars and bowls are lighter 'n' tougher than anything bluse of the Floating Cities. She usually barters 'em to the villagers and sells the excess to traveling merchants - like that fellow Gyreson, you remember him, he comes by every year and he sold your pa that fancy sickle? An' those merchants carry the pottery to the larger towns and re-sell 'em for twice the price. You take a load of that pottery to any town bluse of here, and you'll be able to sell it for a nice bag o' coins for the village and a tidy commission for your journey besides. And those jars are just wonderful for keepin' your supplies safe and your wagon light in the meantime. Trouble is, you've first got to persuade Feldspar to trust you with 'em. 

"I tried tellin' Auntie she could skip the middleman by sendin' someone out to make the sale every now and then, but she wouldn't hear of it. Your Great-Aunt is a...complicated woman. She weren't always so scared of the outside. Once upon a time, she was the only one brave enough to risk the trip - that's how she got her pottery magic, see. Gave up a whole leg for it, she did, an' damned if she didn't just make herself a new one out of magic clay a week later! But she saw somethin' that spooked her good, and now she doesn't want family leavin' the village. Convincing her won't be easy, but it just might be worth your while, especially if you plan to call in any last-minute favors during tomorrow's preparations. She's got a lot of weight in this village, and she can make your work a lot easier - or a lot harder, if it comes to it. Up to you if it's worth the risk, greenjay; but as Auntie never liked your ol' Glint very much, you'd have to do this one by yourself." 

None. 

"Oh. I'll talk to her," I nod. "- if we store our stuff in the jars on the way, we'll have to find a way to wash them out before we try to sell them, will that be hard?"

Prota agrees to talk to Feldspar. Prota also asks how hard it will be to wash food residue out of the jars before selling them. 

"Oh. I'll talk to her," you nod to Glint. "- if we store our stuff in the jars on the way, we'll have to find a way to wash them out before we try to sell them, will that be hard?"

Step 20

Prota is correct. [Some pottery may need to be washed before sale. Most common travel supplies will be either fresh water or dry goods, which are easy to clean out of a pot or jar. Fresh and foraged foods, such as berries, fish, or meat, are harder to clean. They can be kept outside the jars, eaten quickly, or dried for more easy storage.] Glint is familiar with all these methods, and Prota may be assumed to have some basic cooking and food prep skills as well. 

Washing more thoroughly requires soap. Serviceable soap can be made from animal fat and wood ash. Prota and Glint are familiar with this simple process. 

This conversation has been long enough for Prota to finish re-dressing Glint's wounds. The next prompt may now move the story into the morning, when preparations can begin and Prota can talk to Feldspar. Alternatively, the player may choose to have the conversation in the evening. The benefit of an evening conversation is more privacy with Feldspar and less pressure from other clan members who expect Feldspar to behave a certain way. The drawback is that it is late, and Feldspar will be tired and impatient. 

[To avoid the steadily-advancing Blue, villagers near the edge must remain at least partly nomadic. Winters are not harsh in this world, but can still be cold enough for snow, requiring moderately insulated shelters. Prota's family sleep in conical woven-grass or fabric structures with wooden frames, similar to a yurt, that can be quickly disassembled and moved when the village migrates gree.] The conversation with Feldspar may take place in the open near a communal fire-pit or breakfast area, or inside Feldspar's own yurt. 

"Depends on what you put in 'em," shrugs Glint. "Most travel rations are just fresh water and dry goods. One good rinse should do for that. The tricky part is what to do with fresh food we catch or forage on the way. We don't have to use the jars for those, but if we do, I know where to find running water for a more thorough scrubbing. As long as we don't stain 'em with raw meat or berry juice, should be fine. And soap's just the right mix of fat and ash, so we can make it on the road if we need it." Glint pauses to examine your handiwork. The bandages are clean and well-secured. "Good work, and thanks. I think I'll turn in for the night." 

You have finished bandaging Glint, and night is falling. 

To avoid the steadily-advancing Blue, your people are partly nomadic. Your family, Feldspar included, sleep in conical woven-grass or fabric structures with wooden frames, similar to a yurt, that can be quickly disassembled and moved when the village migrates gree. At this stage of evening, Feldspar is likely retiring to bed in a nearby dwelling. You could try to catch her now, away from the judgmental eyes of Feldspar's clan allies, or you could wait until morning, when your Great-Aunt may be more well-rested and receptive, but harder to meet privately. It has been a long day for everyone, but tomorrow will be quite busy. 

None.

I go and find Feldspar on her way to bed, intending to assess how tired and cranky she is right now.

Prota is looking to assess the situation, not yet act. They look for Feldspar in the late evening. That Prota "finds" Feldspar shows the player is assuming a successful action. Finding Feldspar before bed is well within Prota's capability to accomplish, so the action stands. 

You find Feldspar on her way to bed, watching her for signs of weariness or irritation. 

Step 21

Because Feldspar was on her way to bed, the next scene occurs near her dwelling. She is influential enough to have a private space. Prota has not yet committed to approaching Feldspar with her request directly, but they cannot easily approach unobserved. The player did not specify how they approach Feldspar. Prota might go directly to their great-aunt's dwelling and wait, or approach after Feldspar retires. If Prota encounters Feldspar on her way to bed, they are most likely waiting near the dwelling. This carries a likelihood of being spotted, especially since Prota is not making an effort to stay hidden. A complication arises: Feldspar notices Prota's presence and confronts them directly. The description of Feldspar's appearance and demeanor should include any obvious signs of weariness or irritation that Prota, a distant but known relative, would actively notice. 

Feldspar is tired and in modest discomfort from age-related afflictions, but has not yet encountered a reason to be acutely irritated. Her temper could rise if Prota says the wrong thing. Her motivations for the coming conversation are complex and include fear fueled by past traumas, a protective instinct towards the family, and a decades-strong expectation of power and respect in the community. If the discussion drags on too long, the desire for rest may overtake her judgment as well. 

It is near sundown when you set out. You wait a while outside Feldspar's dwelling-place, this being the best way to ensure you meet her alone before bed. As expected, our Great-Aunt arrives in due time, striding only a little stiffly despite her advanced years. When she moves to open the flap of her dwelling, she notices you nearby. 

"Something on your mind, child?" Her voice is brusque but even, and a bit softer than usual. You are standing between your Great-Aunt and rest, but for the moment, she seems more curious than annoyed. 

None. 

"Hi, Aunt Feldspar," I say. "I wanted to talk to you about my trip... I know it's not what you would have recommended."

Prota greets Feldspar and says they want to talk about the upcoming journey. Prota acknowledges Feldspar's displeasure with the trip but has not yet begun to plead their case. 

"Hi, Aunt Feldspar," you say. "I wanted to talk to you about my trip... I know it's not what you would have recommended."

Step 22

Prota has captured her Great-Aunt's attention. Feldspar is displeased about the trip in general, but pleasantly surprised that Prota came to talk to her about it. She wonders what purpose Prota might have. 

(Feldspar's response should hint at a longer history between Prota and her Great-Aunt, to flesh out the world.) [Prota has made no secret of their intentions to travel to the Blue, and word has certainly reached Feldspar before this point. She voiced her disapproval to Prota's parents rather than Prota themself, expecting the hierarchy of familial authority to keep the young, would-be traveler in line. Specifically, Feldspar spoke to her nephew Almer. Prota's parents, while pressured, were already out of favor with the family for their unorthodox marriage, and shielded Prota from the worst of the fallout. This is plausibly the first time Prota is addressing their Great-Aunt directly about their plans.]

Not being prone to nicknames, Feldspar uses Prota's given name or a more condescending term "child." She does not yet harbor much respect for Prota. 

Your Great-Aunt's eyebrows rise in surprise. "Indeed. I had hoped my nephew could talk some sense into you, but it seems I was overly optimistic. Unless you wish to reconsider this foolhardy quest?" 

None.